PARSIPPANY — Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1 recently donated their old gear that they “retired” due to age for Mt. Tabor firemen and due to tighter budgets in other areas, they were happy to donate this equipment to the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department in Warren County.
Some of the items included ten pants, five helmets, thirteen jackets, twelve masks, three pairs of boots and three safety harnesses.
The Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District #1 has been serving the citizens of Parsippany since June 11, 1910. During that time they have seen many changes, from using hand pulled and operated hose carts to the latest fire apparatus with the highest level of technology possible.
Some of the services they provide are fire suppression, vehicle and train extrication, basic hazardous materials mitigation response, and Rapid Intervention Crews (RIC) for neighboring departments.
Oxford Volunteer Fire Department is an independent fire department. Which means, that unlike most of the fire companies in the State of New Jersey, they are not a service provided by the Municipality or a Fire District. The fire department is privately owned by its membership as a not for profit corporation (as defined by 26 USC § 501(c)).
SO, what all that means is, thy run the fire department as a business.
AND, just like any other business, they have to meet their expenses to stay in business. Things like buying fuel, insurance, tools, vehicles, repairs, licenses fees and… well, you get the picture… it’s all their responsibility.
